Leo Rhode, 94, died Nov. 17, 2002, in Homer. Services are 11 a.m. today at the Homer United Methodist Church, 770 East End Road in Homer, with burial following at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery on Diamond Ridge Road.

Mr. Rhode was born Aug. 31, 1908, in Mohall, N.D., and was raised in Kansas, the fourth child in a family of five. He served as Homer City Councilman in 1964 and again from 1965-1968, and was the mayor of Homer from 1978-1982. He also served in the Alaska Legislature; he was elected to the second session of the Alaska State House in November 1960 and served again from 1975-1978 at the request of Gov. Jay Hammond.

He had a long career with HEA, 15 years as office manager and staff assistant and then 17 years on the board of directors. Mr. Rhode served on National Bank of Alaska's board of directors from 1973-1988 and the National Bank of Alaska Homer Advisory Board from 1960-2000 and the South Peninsula Hospital Board from 1978-1988.

He graduated from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks in 1940 where he served as student body president.

For his service to our community, the state of Alaska and the university system, Leo received numerous awards. Former Mayor Harry Gregoire declared Aug. 31, 1993, to be "Leo Rhode Day." Mr. Rhode was Homer Citizen of the Year in 1992 and was honored by both the Legislature and the University of Alaska for his years of service.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, in 1971, three siblings, and his dear cousins Lois, Charl and Clarence. He is survived by his sister, Ruth Cheney, of Overbrook, Kans., two nephews and one niece, his dear friend Bud Danby and a grateful community.